Indonesia plans to reinstate missile capabilities on two of its KCR-60M vessels in the long term. First- and second-of-class were earlier stripped of their missile launchers after receiving Chinese-made CIWS turrets (photos : mcd)Slightly more than a year after removing missile launchers from two of its KCR-60M fast attack craft (FAC), the Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL) is now working to reinstate the capability on these vessels.

SR-47B search radar (photo : KeyPublishing)The matter has been confirmed with Jane’s by a senior crew member of KRI Tombak (629), which was berthed at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base for the 2019 IMDEX exhibition, which was held in Singapore from 14 to 16 May. Tombak is one of the two KCR-60M vessels taking part in the event, with the other being KRI Halasan (630).Beginning in late 2017, Indonesia’s state-owned shipbuilder PT PAL removed diagonally mounted missile launchers on Tombak and first-of-class KRI Sampari (628) as part of efforts to reconstitute the class.

TYpe 347G “Rice Bowl” fire control radar (photo : GlobalMil)

The vessels were subsequently installed with the Chinese-made Type 630 close-in weapon system (CIWS) turret on a pedestal at the stern position where a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) used to be positioned.

Type 630 CIWS set-up on Sampari and Tombak includes the Type 347G ‘Rice Bowl’ short-range fire-control radar and its associated fire-control console, and the SR47B air-and-surface search and gun-target indication radar, which has been integrated with an identification friend-or-foe system.

Type 630 cannon (photo : TNI AL)In response to requests for clarification from Jane’s, a PT PAL official who first informed Jane’s of the reconstitution confirmed that Tombak has now been refitted with its original missile launchers, but at a slightly different position in the aft section. He explained that this weapon has yet to undergo evaluations in its new position, or to be integrated into the vessel’s wider combat systems.(Jane’s)